Exploring Sertoli Cells' Innate Bulwark Role Against Infections: In Vitro Performances on Candida tropicalis Biofilms

Area of Science:

• * Cell Biology
• * Mycology
• * Immunology

Background:

• * Sertoli cells (SCs) show promise as anti-infective agents and drug carriers.
• * Candida tropicalis is a significant pathogenic non-albicans species.
• * Previous research indicates SCs' potential in infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

• * Evaluate the in vitro anti-fungal performance of naïve and microparticle-loaded SCs against Candida tropicalis.
• * Assess the impact of SCs and microparticles on biofilm formation.
• * Investigate cellular response mechanisms and signaling pathways activated by SC-Candida tropicalis interaction.

Main Methods:

• * In vitro study using naïve porcine prepubertal SCs.
• * SCs loaded with blank poly(lactic acid) microparticles (MP) or amphotericin B-loaded MP (AmB-MP).
• * Exposure to Candida tropicalis, followed by analysis of cell viability, biofilm formation, and immune pathway activation (MAPK, AKT, NF-kB).

Main Results:

• * SCs internalized Candida tropicalis while maintaining viability.
• * SCs inhibited Candida tropicalis biofilm formation by 70%.
• * AmB-MP loaded SCs increased biofilm inhibition to 80-90%.
• * Activation of MAPK, AKT, and NF-kB pathways observed, upregulating immune factors (MHC-II, TLR-4, TGF-β, IDO, β-defensin 123).

Conclusions:

• * Porcine SCs possess intrinsic anti-fungal and biofilm inhibitory properties against Candida tropicalis.
• * AmB-MP loaded SCs enhance anti-infective efficacy.
• * SC-mediated immune responses involve key signaling pathways and innate immune factor upregulation.
• * SCs exhibit a tolerogenic phenotype, suggesting a dual role in infection control and drug delivery at the host-pathogen interface.